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Best Longboard Trucks for Freestyle

Best Longboard Trucks Of 2021- Quest Boards Best Longboard Brand

Freestyle longboard riding is all about street tricks. For safer and more precise moves, using traditional kingpin (TKP) or reverse kingpin (RKP) trucks is applicable.

Know more about the best longboard trucks for freestyle in the sections below:

  1. Paris V2 180mm 50° Freestyle Longboard Skateboard Trucks

The Paris V2 180mm 50° Freestyle Longboard Skateboard Trucks are known for their performance and durability. 

These trucks are made using virgin aluminum, which makes them fit for smooth rides even while doing freestyle. It includes grade-8 steel axles and pressed-in kingpins for added strength.

With Paris’ signature stock 90a urethane bushings, you can be sure that your rides are gonna be safe as well since they come with a 6-hole base plate that supports both new-school and old-school mounting options.

Built to last, Paris V2 trucks are generous with their warranty, even making it a lifetime commitment so you can enjoy your freestyle rides to the fullest.

Pros

  • 6 color options
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Made with virgin aluminum
  • Incredible durability
  • Universal 6-hole base plate

Cons

  • Some users may experience a squeaky noise

2) Caliber Trucks Cal II 50° RKP 

Are you a fan of trucks that sport innovative designs? Then the Caliber Trucks Cal II 50° RKP might amaze you.

Not only do these trucks come with top-notch performance; you can also choose the pick that would suit you the most among its 16 different color shades.

Aside from its plausible visual design, it also boasts of remarkable durability. Caliber paired it with a new, in-hour heat treatment that enhances the strength of the trucks by up to 40%.

Also, its unique bushing seats provide you with better stability on all types of terrains. Caliber is known for constantly upping their game when providing quality trucks. This time, it incorporated a circular kingpin with a diameter of 17.4mm that works best for freestyle and speedy rides.

Pros

  • 16 color options
  • Suitable for speedy rides
  • Made with high-quality materials
  • Suitable for all weather conditions 
  • Suitable for all terrains
  • Quality bushing seats with amazing stability

Cons

  • Bearings are not sturdy

3) Atlas Truck Co. Reverse Kingpin Ultralight Longboard Trucks

If you haven’t heard about the Atlas Trucks, then you’ve been missing out. 

These Atlas Truck Co. Reverse Kingpin Ultralight Longboard Trucks are known for performing better than most items in their price range. Even against high-end types, you can appreciate what this unit offers, from the construction to its strength.

It’s made with high-grade aluminum, rendering it one of the most reliable and lightest trucks on the market.

You’ll find it with a thick hanger that’s bend-resistant. This feature ensures proper load transfer during your rides. You can also do your twists confidently without worrying about your board’s support mechanism.

The design of its bushing seat is also great at ensuring zero contact with the kingpin. This simple positioning saves you from potential accidents related to proper and accurate bushing placements.

Take note that you still have to be careful when riding at high speeds. However, they perform best when conquering deep carves. 

If you’re one of those riders who are particular with their longboard aesthetic, then double-check with this set. But, we can almost guarantee that you’ll have no problem with its performance.

Pros

  • Perfect for freerides and carves
  • Many color options
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Stunning look

Cons

  • Can become unstable at high speeds

Takeaway

TKPs are best suited for technical skate tricks since they are the most responsive and are twitchier compared to RKPs.

However, if you want to do tricks involving greater speed, then RKPs are the best choice since they offer greater stability and control.

So when it comes to choosing among the best longboard trucks, take your pick according to your riding styles. 

Quest Boards offers a wide range of pre-assembled longboards and skateboards. You can find a ride that suits your riding style at the best price possible. Our goal is to deliver excitement to your doorstep. So, if you’re ready to say “yes!” to adventure, click here.

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Best Longboard Wheels for Sliding

Best Longboard Trucks Of 2021- Quest Boards Best Longboard Brand

After mastering the art of carving and cruising, you’d want to push your downhill limits. Once you’re done with these, sliding is the way to explore the craziest longboarding tricks for you.

Read on to find out what is sliding and the best longboard wheels for sliding.

What is longboard sliding?

Sliding is what its name says. It’s all about sliding into a controlled skid so you can slow your board down. It’s all about going sideways when you’re speeding downhill.

Most longboard riders love sliding for its adrenaline-filled style. It can help improve your riding ability and skills. Once you’ve mastered sliding, you’re a few rides away from being the best skater that you can be.

What are the best longboard wheels for sliding?

Orangatang Stimulus

Talk about the best skateboarding hardware out there, and you’ve got many by Orangutang Stimulus. They mostly make wheels that are famous in the skateboarding world for their professional build.

Slide into glory with Orangatang Stimulus. It’s a mid-sized longboard wheel that’s made to deliver maximum grippy performance. Aside from sliding, it’s also amazing for doing freestyle tricks and picking up speed as you glide.

Made of patented “Happy Thane”, this formula makes the wheels smooth, fast, and grip hard.

It’s a great transition wheel that lets you cruise, go downhill, do freestyle, and go back to cruising again.

Blood Orange Liam Morgan Pro Series Freeride

When it comes to a brand that focuses on wheels and wheels alone, there goes Santa Cruz. With that, it offers the Blood Orange.

These wheels are the signature Liam Morgan line. Morgan is a professional rider known for his laidback skating style. He incorporates a lot of sliding into his riding style.

Like the rider these wheels were fashioned for, the Liam Morgan Freeride is for doing a lot more than sliding.

It’s made with top-quality urethane. The rounded edges and the soft construction are built for taking an insane amount of rolling.

Since Morgan’s trademark is about ‘leaving a lot of thanes,’ this wheel does the same, too. It means leaving visible marks on any surface you’re sliding on.

Speedy and smooth, this Pro Series is as comfortable as it gets when carving concrete and sliding downhills.

Arbor Mosh Thane

Arbor is also known for putting in every known way to produce the best skating hardware. This time, the Mosh Thane is the wheel that can give you a legendary longboard sliding experience.

It has a durometer that’s slightly softer than the average, as well as fully rounded lips. These qualities make the Mosh Thane an ideal wheel for freestyle ride and cruising. Slide to your heart’s content with every trick you have up your sleeves.

With the Mosh Lane, you can jump between one riding style to another. It’s also designed for beginners and is priced accordingly.

This might be the least expensive sliding wheel on this list and can be the best entry-level wheel for would-be sliders.

Orangatang Kilmer Freeride

Yes, we’re ending this list with the same brand we opened it with, Orangatang.

Instead of the traditional “Happy Thane”, Kilmer uses “Peachy Thane”. That makes for a softer wheel, rendering the Kilmer another sliding wheel staple.

With a softer durometer and rounded lips, you can kick it into long slides. It will ear evenly, sparing you from the flattened out wheels.

Since the Kilmer is made for freestyling and sliding, it embraces all the marks that a sliding longboard wheel must have.

It’s Orangatang’s best-known sliding secret. So, if you’re aiming to push yourself harder, then slide into your dream tricks with this wheel.

For more longboard hardware recommendations, read here.

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Best Longboard Trucks for Dancing

Longboard Trucks For Dancing Of 2021-Quest Boards Longboard Brand
Skateboarder doing a trick at the city’s street in sunny day. Young man in equipment riding and longboarding on the asphalt in action. Concept of leisure activity, sport, extreme, hobby and motion.

The most visual and flowy longboard riding style is dancing. It involves balancing tricks and fluid cross-stepping while carving on the board.

To better perform longboard dancing, you need appropriate trucks. Read on to know more about it and where you can find the best ones.

What is a right longboard truck for dancing?

Longboard trucks for dancing need the board to be much wider and longer than other longboard styles. It can offer enough space for you to make some movements for dancing.

That means that the trucks also need to be wider to provide great stability and to simply fit the deck.

Trucks for dancing need to be 181mm wide. The most user-friendly truck is an 8-hole mounting system. If you have the right measurements, you don’t need to worry about the hole pattern on your board.

BEAR Grizzly 8.52 52° 181mm Gen 5 Longboard Skateboard Trucks

When it comes to one of the most versatile trucks today, the Bear Grizzly 8.52 trucks tops the list.

Due to its hanger’s shape, you can flip it over so you can adjust the performance of your truck. Try flipping it, and you can have a lower turning radius. That means you can have much more stability for downhill and high-speed shredding.

If you opt to keep it standard, this truck will remain responsive and turns. It’s a great option for almost any setup you want. Some users love running these trucks on boards with big wheel wells, as it allows you to put large wheels on your boards and still get amazing turnings.

Paris Savant 180mm 43°

The Paris Savant trucks may seem like a splurge. However, given the cost-per-use ratio, you’re getting a pretty good deal out of this.

It’s one of the best longboard trucks for dancing in the market. Since it’s made with top-quality virgin grade aluminum, you’ll enjoy the amount of durability and strength it offers.

Paris made sure you’re getting what you paid for. The trucks incorporate outer and inner speed rings, which help keep the wheels aligned.

Aside from better wheel alignment, the trucks’ design also helps ensure the screws are always tightened up securely. That’s possible through the axle’s signature “captive axle lock”.

With its tight race pivot and bushing seat, you can enjoy a speedier ride. Among all of its qualities, it’s the overall strong build and precise design that makes it a top-quality longboard trucks for dancing.

Caliber II Fifty 158mm Raw Silver Longboard Trucks

If you’re looking for a narrow version for carving, bombing hills, or dancing, then the Caliber II Fifty 158mm Raw Silver Longboard Trucks is for you.

It has the right width to fit hybrid or narrow longboards. Narrow trucks like these will grip more and will offer faster turns.

From cutting serious turns and getting your carves on, these bad boys are what you’re looking for. Its base plate is 50 degrees, which is the right angle to get that smooth maneuverability and stability.

Its 160mm hanger lets you have greater leverage and quicker turning compared to using a wider hanger.

For more ideas about the best longboard hardware, click here.

To better perform longboard dancing, you need appropriate trucks. Read on to know more about it and where you can find the best ones.

What is a right longboard truck for dancing?

Longboard trucks for dancing need the board to be much wider and longer than other longboard styles. It can offer enough space for you to make some movements for dancing.

That means that the trucks also need to be wider to provide great stability and to simply fit the deck.

Trucks for dancing need to be 181mm wide. The most user-friendly truck is an 8-hole mounting system. If you have the right measurements, you don’t need to worry about the hole pattern on your board.

BEAR Grizzly 8.52 52° 181mm Gen 5 Longboard Skateboard Trucks

When it comes to one of the most versatile trucks today, the Bear Grizzly 8.52 trucks tops the list.

Due to its hanger’s shape, you can flip it over so you can adjust the performance of your truck. Try flipping it, and you can have a lower turning radius. That means you can have much more stability for downhill and high-speed shredding.

If you opt to keep it standard, this truck will remain responsive and turns. It’s a great option for almost any setup you want. Some users love running these trucks on boards with big wheel wells, as it allows you to put large wheels on your boards and still get amazing turnings.

Paris Savant 180mm 43°

The Paris Savant trucks may seem like a splurge. However, given the cost-per-use ratio, you’re getting a pretty good deal out of this.

It’s one of the best longboard trucks for dancing in the market. Since it’s made with top-quality virgin grade aluminum, you’ll enjoy the amount of durability and strength it offers.

Paris made sure you’re getting what you paid for. The trucks incorporate outer and inner speed rings, which help keep the wheels aligned.

Aside from better wheel alignment, the trucks’ design also helps ensure the screws are always tightened up securely. That’s possible through the axle’s signature “captive axle lock”.

With its tight race pivot and bushing seat, you can enjoy a speedier ride. Among all of its qualities, it’s the overall strong build and precise design that makes it a top-quality longboard trucks for dancing.

Caliber II Fifty 158mm Raw Silver Longboard Trucks

If you’re looking for a narrow version for carving, bombing hills, or dancing, then the Caliber II Fifty 158mm Raw Silver Longboard Trucks is for you.

It has the right width to fit hybrid or narrow longboards. Narrow trucks like these will grip more and will offer faster turns.

From cutting serious turns and getting your carves on, these bad boys are what you’re looking for. Its base plate is 50 degrees, which is the right angle to get that smooth maneuverability and stability.

Its 160mm hanger lets you have greater leverage and quicker turning compared to using a wider hanger.

For more ideas about the best longboard hardware, click here.

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How To Clean Longboard Bearings

How To Clean Longboard Bearings Of 2021-Quest Boards

Longboard bearings help make the wheel go around. They are tiny balls made of either steel or ceramic that is set on a circular track inside the ring work. They work with the inner hub of the wheel and fixed axel of the truck to allow wheelspin when force is applied.

Knowing how to clean longboard bearings is a step closer to making sure that your longboard is at its best. Read on to find out more:

Do you have built-in or regular bearings?

Before anything else, you need to take these two considerations for bearings:

  1. Do they come with built-in speed rings?

2. Do they work without them?

Many riders out there have regular bearings or bearings with no built-in speed rings. This means that you need to handle more fiddly bits since the bearings are separated from the spacer and speed ring.

However, if you have built-in bearings, there’s no need to worry. Built-ins have the spacer, bearings, and speed ring put together.

Here’s a tip for those who are stuck with regular bearings:

Try to keep all the tiny components in a secure space when cleaning bearings. Don’t lose them at all costs. 

What you will need in cleaning longboard bearings

  • Skate tool
  • Your nasty bearings
  • A lubricant
  • Towel or old rag
  • Alcohol-based cleaning solution
  • Container with a lid

How to clean longboard bearings, Here’s how;

1. Remove bearings and bearing shields:

Remove all the wheels from the longboard using your skate tool. Afterwards, take off the bearings by using the axel as leverage. Wiggle the bearing on the edge of the axel to bring out the bearings out of the wheel’s core.

Once the bearings are removed from the core successfully, remove the bearing shields using a blade. 

2. Shake it up:

If you have removed all the shields from each bearing successfully, set your bearings aside in a safe container. Fill that container with a solution of your choice and close it. You can then give it a good shake to get rid of those nasty grime and dirt.

3. Lubricate the bearings:

Once the container has been emptied, and all the bearings have been dried, start lubricating all the bearings. 

This helps prevent the bearings from heating or seizing. Ideally, you have to lubricate and clean your bearings right after a session of skating in the rain.

However, unless you have those water-resistant or ceramic bearings, then you can skip it at least for days.

Remember to use thin lubricants since they don’t collect as much dirt. While thick lubricants are also great to use, the thin ones may help your bearings stay away from dirt easier.

4. Finish up:

After lubricating all the bearings, wipe away any excess oil. Next, press each of them back into the wheel, and don’t forget to put the speed rings back. Put the speed rings accordingly: one against the wheel nut, and one against the truck.

With this guide, we hope cleaning your bearings becomes easier for you every time. Now, it’s your turn!

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Longboard Deck: Things You Have to Know

Since they entered the scene in the late 1950s, longboards have come a long way in terms of their shapes and sizes. They’re no longer the bulky and flat pieces of woods with wheels that they used to be.

Because of this, any beginner today may already have a hard time choosing the right longboard for them.

So, we have rounded up a few important things you have to know as far as a longboard deck goes.

Deck Material

Except from those made with cheap plastic boards, all longboard decks are laminated with several layers. These plies are stacked up on top of each other to create a strong deck.

Any material will suffice in making longboard decks. However, the strongest and most common are maple decks.

  • Canadian Maple

Maple trees grow at a higher elevation, which encourages them to grow denser fibers than other types of wood.

Considered as the strongest and most durable maple wood for longboards, the Canadian maple wood is known for being stronger than those maple grown from Siberia.

Known for their dense built and flexibility, maple trees provide the perfect amount of flexibility and strength for longboard production. Unlike other woods, they can bend and be shaped without compromising their structural integrity, which, in turn, makes them an excellent choice for producing longboards.

  • Chinese Maple

Chinese Maple is technically not maple wood. It’s a fancy name for Birchwood, which is another trusted material for making longboard decks.

However, compared to Canadian Maple, this one isn’t as strong and as durable. If a longboard is made of 7-ply birchwood, it could snap easily with extended use.

  • Bamboo

Another material that’s famous in making longboards is bamboo. Longboards that have bamboo for decks also offer great durability and strength. They come in various thickness and configurations, which usually range from 1/8” to 3/4”.

Bamboo sheets are vertically laminated in fiberglass or other composite materials. This process results in medium-weight to lightweight board with a soft to medium flex. Some riders love this material for its powerful spring-like feature.

Concave

Concave refers to the natural curvature between two sides of a longboard. It helps hold your feet in place, thereby giving you more control of the board as you carve in and out of turns.

  • Flat

This concave type is ideal for slow cruising and dancing. It’s very comfortable under the feet but doesn’t offer much control.

  • Radial

Radial is great for carving, downhill, and freestyle. Riders can enjoy lots of leverage for control when turning.

  • Progressive

Cruising, freestyle, downhill, and carving are the doable longboard tricks with this type of deck concave. It combines the advantages of radial and flat concaves to make it easier for you to ride your longboard.

  • W-concave

W-concave offers a superb experience for freestyle and downhill. It provides an amazing surface for locking in your feet for slides and speed.

  • Asymmetric

Asymmetric concaves work best for downhill and carving. This shape helps change the force needed for a backside and frontside turn. One thing you have to remember with this type of concave, however, is that it requires proper stance all the time.

Camber

Camber pertains to how far the upward bend is between the longboard’s trucks. It’s the reason why the riding platform is higher than the truck mounts, as a higher platform gives riders more advantage for turning.

Some more flexible longboards rely on camber to ensure that the rider is at the same level with the trucks. It also gives longboards greater flexibility, but without the risk of the deck touching the ground unexpectedly.

Knowing the material and concave type lets you know how durable and manageable a longboard would be. However, there are other considerations when choosing a longboard, namely:

  • Shape
  • Truck Mounting
  • Board Length
  • Wheelbase

Longboard Shapes

Longboards come in all shapes and sizes. However, the common shapes are as follows:

  • Pintails
  • Blunt Nose
  • Cut Out
  • Mini Cruiser
  • Dancers

Trucks

Your longboard width should be as close to the width of your trucks. While they should match exactly, being slightly off is forgivable. Keeping the difference to less than ¼ is advisable.

Generally, wider trucks contribute to a more stable yet less responsive longboard. Meanwhile, a narrower truck can be less stable but more responsive. Given these considerations, 10” trucks or 180mm trucks are ideal for freeride or downhill. The 9” or 150mm trucks are more suitable for transportation, carving, and freestyle.

Truck Mounting

  • Top Mount

The original and most common truck mounting style, longboards with top mount riding style have trucks attached to the bottom of the deck and screws going through the deck. This design ensures that the trucks are always below the rider’s feet for greater control while turning.

  • Drop Through

Longboards with drop through mounting style usually comes in combination with a cutout shape. Here, the trucks are mounted on top of the deck through a deck hole and are held in place with nuts and screws. This style lowers the rider’s center of gravity, which helps increase overall deck stability.

  • Drop Mount

Drop mount combines the advantages of a top mount riding style and drop through mounting style. This deck style has a recess where the trucks are mounted. Essentially, the trucks are mounted in the middle of the deck instead of at the bottom or at the top. As a result, the longboard is super responsive and stable when speeding up.

Board Length

This refers to the distance between the front (nose) and the back (tail) of the longboard. Longboards usually measure 34” or longer. The length highly influences the stability, flexibility, and maneuverability of the board, as longer boards typically offer lower maneuverability and higher stability.

Wheelbase

The distance between the back trucks and the front axels is called the wheelbase. When picking longboards, be wary about the measurements. Some manufacturers will measure the wheelbase from the truck to the mounting holes.

Remember that wheelbase has the biggest impact on performance. A longer wheelbase tends to produce more stability and straighter ride. However, a shorter wheelbase offers less stability but great maneuverability.

Takeaway

Ultimately, picking a longboard deck boils down to a rider’s preferred riding style. The shape, style, and features will then follow.

If you’re a beginner in longboarding, a longboard deck with a drop through mounting style and long wheelbase may suit you. This combination goes low to the ground and is super stable.

Also, remember that concave is a major aspect of longboard performance. Manufacturers keep on trying to come up with new ones, but as a beginner, stick to the ones you’re most comfortable with according to your riding style.

Find your first longboard here. Questboards offer amazing longboard selections at reasonable prices and in whatever style, deck material, concave, or other specs you want.

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FAQs About Grip Tape for a Longboard

Grip tape for a longboard is a lightly explored and often highly overlooked aspect of a longboard. You can find various types of grip tape that work best for different riding styles. However, many people usually divide them into two main categories: Jessup and Vicious.

Read on to find out more about grip tape and which one might be the best for your riding style.

Grit Ratings

Grip tape grit ranges from 24 to 80 grit. It’s a small segment of the overall grit ratings that range from 12 to about 1000 grit.

Here’s a reference with the brand, grit, and particle size breakdown:

  • 24 Grit: Diablo Extra Course, Gator Super Coarse XC,
  • 30 Grit: Older Version of Black Vicious
  • 36 Grit: New Clear Vicious, New Black Vicious, Thumb Cutter, Gator Grip Coarse
  • 40 Grit: Red Vicious, Diablo Course Belt Sander, Blood Orange,
  • 50 Grit: Loaded Course (Chubby Unicorn)
  • 60 Grit: Gator Standard (Colored), Bustin
  • 80 Grit: Jessup, MOB, Most Street Board Grip

So, which grip tape has the right grit level for you?

You need to choose a grip tape that matches the grit needs of your riding style and your personal preferences. Generally, here’s how it goes:

  • 24-40 grit is best for downhill or fast free ride
  • 50-80 grit is for slow freerides, freestyles, technical freerides, and cruising

That said, there are still many people who use less coarse grip tape for fast freerides and downhill. Some riders use Vicious for slow technical freeride.

Note that these generalizations are based on the coarseness of the grip and how much grip you want between your shoes and the board.

Lower grits offer a better grip. Unless the grip tape is wet, everything could work well. Also, each company produces grip tapes with various levels of exterior coating, although most products available are epoxy-based.

50 grit tape is perfect for freeride and freestyle. For wet or cold weather, 36 grit works best. In warm and dry conditions, 30 and 36 grit works great.

You can find these grip tapes for about $10 a pack at a local improvement store.

Freestyle riders also love the 50-65 grit range. It doesn’t let your feet slip across the board as easily as 80 grit, but it’s not as course as a grip range below 40.

However, a low grit for doing freestyles may destroy shoes and possibly hands. This is actually the reason why some brands that sell freestyle-oriented boards grip them with an 80 grit grip tape. It’s a grit level that lets riders move and release their feet across the board easily.

What is OS780 grip tape?

OS780 Grip tape is widely used in the longboard and skateboarding world. Its sand is abrasion-resistant, skid-proof, and emery. Deck surfaces with this grip tape provide a solid rock bonding, which is expected since it’s an industry standard for a trusted deck adhesion.

Finding grip tapes that aren’t designer brands is handy with the many available choices online today. You can pick grip tapes that have zero frills in exchange for affordability.

How to apply a grip tape?

Materials in applying a grip tape:

  • A deck
  • Grip tape
  • A razor blade
  • Some sort of straight-edged tool (such as a screwdriver or skate tool)
  • A heat gun or hair dryer (optional)

Steps in applying a grip tape:

  • Remove the backing from the grip tape.
  • Set it on the top of the deck by starting at the center.
  • Press down on the grip tape carefully.
  • Work your way outward extra slowly.
  • Turn the deck over.
  • Using the razor blade, cut off the excess grip tape that hangs over the edge.
  • Flip the deck back over.
  • Then, using the heat gun, heat the edges of the board, but don’t let it melt.
  • Using your straight-edged tool, scrape around the entire deck to rasp the board edges.
  • Start cutting the excess tapes with your razorblade.
  • Hold the blade in about a 45-degree angle to the board.
  • Clean up the edges using the razor blade once more.
  • Lastly, poke holes through the grip tape where the bolds go.

Things to remember:

  • Use controlled and slow movements when cutting.
  • Make sure to cut out wherever there’s a wheel.
  • Make relief cuts to keep the tape from being bent when it bends around the tail of your longboard deck.

Q: Are grip tapes easy to use?

Grip tapes can be a bit tricky to use in the beginning, but you can get used to it. You can always ask a friend for help. However, if you just follow the instructions on how to apply grip tapes as stated above, you’ll be fine as well.

Q: What are the typical dimensions of a grip tape?

Dimensions will vary from tape to tape. But, in buying one for your board, make sure to measure your board to find the right grip tape. Give some extra space, too, so you can still manage even if you mess up the first time.

Q: What material are grip tapes made of?

The material mirrors the feel of sandpaper, but a grip tape for a longboard is finer. It’s even better than sandpaper since it’s designed for that purpose alone. Depending on the company, it can be made of aluminum oxide or silicon carbide.

Q: Where do I get the grip tape for a longboard?

Specialized skate shops sell grip tapes, although if you’re into convenience, it’s also easier to find them online. You can take advantage of the wider choice available by reading consumer reviews.

Takeaways

Buying the right grip tape is optimal for ensuring a better skating experience. With the right grip, you can have a safer overall longboarding experience .

Remember that it doesn’t matter if you’ve just started doing tricks or are just strolling around. Having a good grip tape is important no matter what your riding style is.

If you’re a beginner and can’t assess what level of grit you need, you might need to go with some 40-50 grit. It’s in the middle range, and you can have a happy medium and the best of both worlds.

We hope that this post helps you in one way or another. If you have questions, feel free to hit us up. We at Questboards are happy to bring you the best longboard experience.

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How to Longboard: 8 Longboard Tricks for Every Beginner Skater

The best longboard stars never fail to amaze everyone, especially the newbies. Their jaw-dropping performances make every competition worth watching.

Before they became seasoned professionals, however, they also started from scratch.

If you’re thinking about picking up a longboard and starting to learn simple tricks to follow in your idolized skater’s steps, you’re cruising on the right page.

Read on for a list of beginner-friendly longboard tricks:

1) Walking the plank

Walking the plank is about balancing yourself on bended knees. By properly positioning your arms and feet, you can move down the street with ease.

To do this, you have to practice pushing the board with your right and left foot alternately in order to gain better control of the board. You can regulate your speed gradually as you go.

Also, you can try a trick called cross-stepping. It’s when you change your feet orientation from one side to another. Once you master this trick, you are already ready for next-level actions.

2) Footbrake

Aside from walking the plank, footbrake is also a fundamental longboard trick to learn. Learning how to brake lets you regulate your speed and avoid road accidents.

Remember that your mode of transport is unique. It doesn’t have any shifting gears or even steering wheels. You only have your longboard and yourself, so you must master dictating your speed and brake intensity.

To start, try pressing a foot on the ground as the board moves. Create momentary brakes to decrease your longboard’s speed.

Some beginners find it hard to do footbrake because it involves proper balance. If done the wrong way, you could toss yourself accidentally.

So, before trying out other complicated longboard tricks, it’s crucial that you be able to discipline your board.

3) Dancing

Dancing is a basic trick that lets you regulate your speed by shifting your board up and down.

This trick can be more manageable once you master the two preceding tricks on this longboard tricks list. Once you gain more confidence riding, you can dance with your board as you ride down the streets.

Aside from footbrake, dancing also helps you get away from danger and avoid overspeeding. Having straight movements entails swifter rides, which can be dangerous when uncontrolled.

To master this trick, gain confidence by spending hours practicing. Drive your board sideways to distribute the brake on its four wheels.

Once you master this, you can already manage other longboard dancing tricks.

4) Slalom

Slalom is the longboard version of skiing, where you take steep curving turns to avoid obstacles. It also works to regulate your speed when moving downhill.

To do this longboard trick, you must have a good balancing position, with your feet slightly angled in the middle of the board and your knees bent sideways.

Next, maneuver your board by balancing yourself and finding momentum with your arms and feet. For better speed regulation, position your front feet to step harder on your board for that effective brake as needed.

5) Pivot

After you master controlling your longboard speed, you can practice doing pivot. This trick is about rotating your board on half a circle and continuing to move afterwards.

To make this happen, step your front foot on the nose of your board. Then, place your hindfoot at the center.

Once you’ve done that, shift your weight to the front foot to raise the rear wheels. As the board and your legs follow your frame, transfer some of your weight to your new leading leg. To complete the trick, ride off in switch.

Remember to avoid putting too much pressure, though, on the nose of your longboard. Otherwise, it will make the move harder and might result in your fall.

6) Shove it

If you’ve mastered performing the pivot, then you sure can perform a 180-degree turn as you move in the air. Known as “shove it”, this longboarding technique requires you to jump with your board while you turn on a semi-circle movement.

It’s basically the same when you pivot since it’s also about turning with a 180-degree spin. However, shove it requires you to jump and find the right moves so you can land better on your two feet.

You need to use a board with a big-enough tail so you can manipulate it easier. It helps with the pop and scoop. To do this, you have to set up your front foot in the middle of the board. The back foot goes on the corner of the tail.

You need your back foot toes to almost curl over the tail. Then, bend down so you can begin with the rotation. To complete, scoop the tail, jump, and land on your two feet on the board with the same starting position.

Remember the following:

  • With the proper back foot position, you can better ensure that you have the proper scoot. Scoot means the action of popping your tail down at an angle to rotate the board.
  • Since a longboard is heavier than the typical skateboard, you need to scoop back harder to turn the longboard around.
  • Your jump height should only be enough to meet the allowance you need to make your turn with your longboard in the air.

Essentially, the difference between a shove it and pivot is that with shove it, you have to scoop, jump, and rotate the board while you’re mid-air. Meanwhile, pivot doesn’t need your feet to leave the board and jump. You only have to manipulate the board by exerting force on your back foot while your whole body rotates 180 degrees along with the board.

7) Drop-in

When you’ve learned all the preceding tracks on this list, then you have already mastered all the flat movements of a longboard.

Drop-in is about falling smoothly on the ground. Like other tricks, your concentration is the only requirement here.

To make this happen, find a skate ramp and stand on the ledge. Your longboard tail should be slammed on the surface completely. As your feet stand on the tail, step one of your feet on your board’s nose.

Remember to bend your knees frontward and maintain a leaning posture. Then, slowly put your body weight on the nose. From here, move with your board confidently.

Take note of where you’re heading to avoid any accidents. There might be other longboard riders in the skate park, so be extra careful.

8) Backside Kickturn

Before you advance to any other complicated longboard tricks on a skate ramp, you must manage to turn on the ramp’s side. The ramp is elevated and steep, and this is where the challenge lies.

To have a clean kickturn, maintain your desired speed before going to the ramp. Make sure to focus your attention on the spot where you will make a turn. As soon as you’re closing in on the spot, put your body weight on the tail then gradually tilt the board as you ascend.

When you reach the ramp’s coping, do a pivot turn and concentrate on your desired landing spot.

Remember, the balance of this trick relies on your body coordination and posture. Make sure to maintain proper posture as you ascend and descend back to your original spot. Don’t panic as you move so as to minimize danger as you move.

So, is it harder to do tricks on a longboard?

The answer depends on your ability to learn a new skill.

If you are bent on following in the footsteps of your idolized skateboard professionals, practice these basic longboard tricks as often as possible. With dedication and perseverance, assuming your spot in prestigious competitions can be a reality in your future.

If you’re just beginning and haven’t picked up a longboard yet, choose from our wide selections of longboards. We offer amazing choices fit for every type of rider.

Questboards is about offering premium longboards and other related products for optimum riding experience. Pick a board now and start learning your first longboard trick.

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How to Stand on a Longboard

Before you can drown in the excitement of riding a longboard, you have to know the most basic aspects of longboarding first. Knowing how to stand on a longboard offers you the proper foundation when it comes to the next tricks that you will have to learn.

What is the correct way to stand on a longboard?

Here’s what you need to know about proper longboard stance:

The stance pertains to your posture on the longboard. It involves everything about how you position your whole body, especially your feet.

Stances may depend on various factors. You can use different variations depending on what you’re up to. Whether it’s carving, turning, or speeding down the hill, there’s a proper stance for that.

Some factors that determine your stance include the following:

  • The direction of your shoulders and hips
  • How hard you bend your knees
  • How you lean your torso

Once you identify and execute the right posture, you can start doing your desired riding techniques and styles.

Which foot goes first on a longboard?

Any board sport has two types of stances: the regular stance and the goofy stance.

The regular stance is when you stand with your left foot forward towards the direction you’re going.

The goofy stance is when you stand on the longboard with your right foot forward.

These two stances pertain to footedness, which refers to the natural dominance of your left or right foot.

Knowing this is important since it’s your dominant foot that goes in the back of the longboard to do most of the steering.

Called the pivot foot, your dominant foot will help you to have a precise riding direction.

How to find your stance

You can pick between two methods.

One, try moving or kicking something with your foot. Whichever foot you used might be the best foot to place on the back of your longboard.

Another method is by letting someone give you a slight shove. The foot you use to catch yourself is more likely your dominant one.

Note that these two methods might not be the best out there, but they sure can get you started.

If you’re not confident with either foot yet, continue trying out both goofy and regular stances. Notice how each stance goes and go for the one that feels right.

Other longboard stances you can learn

Once you find out whether you’re a goofy rider or a regular rider, you can try learning the following:

1) Cruising longboard stance

This stance lets you ride around at a slow to moderate speed. It’s perfect for when you want a relaxing ride. To do this:

  • Position your feet slightly wider than your shoulders’ width.
  • Your feet should have equal distance from the front and the backtracks.
  • When cruising, bend your knees a little to gain balance.
  • Your body should slightly rotate facing forward.
  • Keep your torso neutral; don’t lean backward.

Remember that you can lean forward or bend your knee when going over a bump or cracks to secure your balance.

2) Pushing the board stance

This stance uses your dominant foot to push as your front foot does the steering and balancing. Some riders choose the reverse type, where the front foot does the pushing.

You can try both techniques, but make sure to follow that which is the most comfortable for you.

To do the pushing the board stance, you should:

  • Focus on your back foot to push.
  • Squat down on your front leg.
  • Bend the knee you use to push for more power and control.
  • Keep your shoulders and hips facing straight forward to your longboard’s direction.
  • To complete this stance, you need to lean your torso forward to follow the direction of the motion.

3) Foot breaking stance

Similar to the pushing stance, you need to achieve your balance by using your front leg. This leg should point towards your longboard’s nose, while your body should fully face forward.

To practice the foot breaking stance, you should:

  • Squat down a little to let the back foot lower the ground.
  • Your back foot should be parallel to your standing foot.
  • Brush your foot against the ground.
  • Lift your toes a little to avoid cracks.

4) Carving longboard stance

You can use this stance to revolve around, as you snake turns. It can work for you whether you’re gaining or shedding speed. This technical riding style hugely depends on finding your right stance.

To do the carving longboard stance, you should:

  • Shift your weight between your toes and heels constantly.
  • Your front and back foot should be perpendicular across the board.
  • The knees should alternately flex and straighten before and after one turn or carve.

Remember that the goal is to lower the center of gravity and focus it into the carve. After carving, pop it up and decompress the weight on the exit. This is when the maximum energy is focused on the longboard.

Each carve starts with you rotating your ankles, hips, shoulders, and head. But you need to continuously rotate your upper body into the direction of the curve you’re targeting.

The key to securing your balance throughout is to lean forward in your successive turns.

5) Speed stance (tuck)

Commonly known as a “tuck”, speed stance means positioning your body to maximize stability and minimize wind resistance at speed.

To execute this, you need to:

  • Place your foot at a 15º-30º to the deck (close to the front truck mount).
  • Your back foot should be parallel to the front foot (also at a slight angle to the longboard deck).
  • Position your left foot toes at about one foot away behind your front foot.
  • Rest your toes close to the board edge for an easy front side turning.
  • Bend your knees at about 90º.
  • Place most of your body weight on your front leg.
  • Lean your back knee against your front calf.
  • Your hips and shoulders should fully turn towards the nose, facing downhill.
  • Stretch your front hip to allow your back knee to tuck under your front knee.
  • Your torso should bend forward.
  • It must be almost horizontal with your chest and lean against your front thigh.
  • Tuck your arms behind your back.

Takeaway

Knowing how to stand on a longboard opens the doors to more exciting longboard tricks.

If you’re a beginner, mastering how to balance or stand on a longboard starts with knowing whether you’re a goofy or a regular rider.

The key to a worthwhile ride is to master handling your board. If you haven’t found yours, check out our longboards. Tap the free-spirited rider in you and choose from our top-quality products available today.

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How to Choose Longboard Bearings:  A Buyer’s Guide

Lonboard Bearings Of 2020- How To Choose Longboard Bearings Guide

Longboard bearing refer to the circular metal pieces that fit inside the lognboard wheels and make the wheels go round.  They are created using different parts and have a standard size of 8 mm (core), 7mm (width), and 22 mm (outer diameter) to ensure the compatibility between all wheels and all bearing brands.

Choosing longboard bearings can be as simple as buying ice cream from the store – so long as you know what it is you are looking for.  Factors such as speed, durability load capacity, surface finish, lubrication, materials and tolerance separate good longboard bearings from the bad one.  Hence, it is important to understand why some bearings can take more out of your pocket than you are willing to when other sets can be inexpensive.

What are Longboard Bearings Made Of?

Longboard Bearing Parts
Longboard bearings may look tiny, but they consist of incredibly complex components. They are usually composed of the following smaller parts:

Ball retainer. Also known as Delrin crown, this component keeps each ball bearing in place while allowing the casing to spin around it.

Bearing shield. A ring of medium size that covers the sides of the bearings and prevents dirt and debris from getting into the bearings.

C-ring. A thin ring that fits on the outside of the bearings and locks the shields in place.

Inner ring. A smaller metal ring that fits inside the outer ring.

Outer ring. A round metal exterior where all the other components fit into.

Rubber seal. A soft rubber ring located on the outside of the bearings that help shield the interior of the bearings against dirt and debris.

Steel balls. A set of steel or ceramic balls that rests in the ball retainer. As the most vital components, they allow the bearing casing to spin around them.

Longboard Bearing Materials

Steel. As the industry standard, steel bearings are both durable and economical. With this type of bearings, the overall quality of the steel, sealing, and interior ball bearings vary from one brand to another. Generally, the more costly a set of longboard bearings are, the greater their quality since they contain better sealing, higher-quality metals, and more inner ball bearings. Premium bearings will make you feel what makes them different from their cheaper counterparts when you come to a sudden stop on your longboard.

One downside to steel bearings, however, is that it tends to rust when exposed to moisture. Therefore, you must keep them well-oiled if you want them to last.

Ceramic. Ceramic longboard bearings are harder than steel, extremely smooth, resistant to heat, and produce very little friction at faster speeds. Unlike steel bearings, they deform less often, do not rust when exposed to moisture, and do not require as much maintenance. Add to that the fact that ceramic bearings offer exceptional precision performance, and you can expect them to be more expensive than standard steel bearings.

Titanium. Bearings made of titanium are lightweight, durable, and highly resistant to rust. They perform similar to steel bearings, but they can last longer due to this material’s strength and high resistance to corrosion. An important thing to remember is that titanium bearings also need lubrication in order to reduce excess friction.

What is the Longboard Bearing ABEC Scale?

Short for Annular Bearing Engineers’ Committee, an ABEC rating is the measurement used to rate the accuracy, tolerance, and physical limits of bearings. Tolerance measures how precisely the components of bearings fit together, as the more precise the fit between bearing parts, the smoother and more efficient bearings are at higher speeds.

Note that a higher ABEC rating does not necessarily equate to longboard bearings being faster. ABEC bearings are just one of the many aspects that you have to consider, and because there are several factors that play a role in selecting longboard bearings, an ABEC 9 from one brand may differ from an ABEC 9 from another.

The following are the usual ABEC ratings:

ABEC 1 – tend to be the most affordable, the least accurate, the most durable, and the crudest. Usually, the quality of steel used here is not very high.

ABEC 3 – generally inexpensive but do not roll very quickly or smoothly.

ABEC 5 – the standard for most types of longboarding. Bearings with this rating usually get you a reasonable amount of speed at an affordable price.

ABEC 7 – tend to be very fast, smooth, and expensive. Note that you run the risk of unnecessarily damaging them if you skate too hard or too aggressively.

ABEC 9+ – usually used by skaters with riding styles that go insanely fast. These longboard bearings will cost you a good fortune.

How to Clean Longboard Bearings

While longboard bearings generally require little maintenance and last a long time, each component of your longboard bearings should function properly in order for the bearings to perform at their best. In this connection, it is crucial that you clean your bearings regularly. Otherwise, dirt buildup will eventually stop your bearings and cause it to malfunction.

So, we have provided the following step-by-step longboard bearings care guide to help you clean your bearings.

Tools You Will Need

  • Your dirty longboard bearings
  • Lubricant
  • A piece of rag or towel
  • An alcohol-based cleaning solution
  • A container with a lid
  • Circlip pliers (if you have metal shield) or a knife blade (if you have rubber shields)
  • A well-ventilated area
  • Safety gloves (advised)
  • Time (more or less half an hour)

Procedure

Take the bearings out
Unscrew the axle nuts and gently slide the wheel along the axle so that the bearing is released out of the wheel core. Prise the bearing out of the wheel and use the rag or towel to wipe down each bearing. Repeat the same for each wheel.

Remove the bearing shields
Once you get your bearings out of your wheels, remove the bearing shields using the knife blade or the circlip pliers. An ideal way to do this is by leveraging from the inside or outside of the shield so as not to bend it at an extreme angle. Take great care to avoid cutting yourself. Do the same for each bearing shield.

Soak and clean them
Place all the components you have removed in the container and fill it with an alcohol-based bearing cleaning solution. Give the container a good shake to get rid of the dirt and grime. Rinse them some more with clean solvent.

Dry and lubricate
Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness Dry your bearings off

How to Lubricate Longboard Bearings

Lubricating your bearings starts after cleaning.  In order to enjoy maximum performance of your longboards, be sure your bearings are completely dry before doing this activity.

Lubricating means regreasing or putting lube on your bearings with oil or grease. A few drops will do and spin the bearings with your fingers so that the lube is spread evenly.  Then put it back in the wheel, this can be tricky if the wheel holds the bearing tightly.  This basically sums up the lubricating activity.

This is not a DIY thing to do. Every skater must realize that using the wrong oil may do more damage to the bearings. It is highly recommended that you use skateboard bearing specific lubes like Powell Speed cream or similar light grease. Another recommended brand is “Speed cream” made by “bones bearings”.  They are specially designed to keep bearings last longer and greasy.  Light grease have low viscosity clear oil. 3-in-1 oil and mineral oil both work.  Just a couple of drops at the outside near the nut at the inner race, and a couple of drops at the inside near the truck shaft at the inner race.

If for some reasons you cannot have these specific lubricants, certain home products can do the replacement.  Motor oil or even cooking oil will work.

How about water to do the job? Water can actually be a lubricant but this does not mean it should ever be in a bearing. Unless you are cleaning your bearings and even then, have minimal amount of water contact. Water is one element that hastens rust formation and this can significantly damage the bearings. In contrary, this may not hold true for Ceramic bearings as they don’t develop rust due to moisture.  And this is also for the same reason that skating in the rain is avoided mainly due to water and moisture accumulation in the bearings.

Many customer reviews mention about the use of WD-40. It is a solvent, and not a lubricant. Solvents will dissolve at the plastic pieces inside the bearing that make it work. The downside on prolonged use of solvents will limit the life of your bearings.  Olive oil is not good, but is better than nothing, and is probably better than using a solvent.

Many realize that rain skating makes bearings 50% worse. And this is when WD-40 will come in very useful.  It may work well as a lubricant but it should never be used as lube normally. But when the bearing gets so rusted, this will be of great help. Indeed, WD-40 can only be used for destroyed bearings.

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How Much Is A Good, Sturdy Longboard Cost?

How Much Do Good, Sturdy Longboard Cost blog photo.

It cannot be denied that price always plays a role when it comes to making a decision on whether or not we are going to purchase something that has caught our eye. Longboard skateboards are no exception in this case. In fact, even more advanced longboarders keep the price in mind when they are looking into buying a new longboard skateboard complete.

If you are a beginner skater, however, price is probably something that you will want to consider even more than advanced skaters do. After all, you are looking to buy your first ever longboard, and you would probably not want to spend too much on something that you are not certain you would end up liking in the long run. For this reason, you may be one of those newbies who oftentimes ask the question, “How much is a longboard?”

Unfortunately, as much as we would love to give you an easy, direct answer, this question is a bit of a challenge for even the most experienced skateboards sales representative. This is because the answer depends on a lot of factors, such as what you want the longboard for, whether you already know how a longboard works, whether you can already do tricks, and so on. Your personal preference, riding style, and the goals that you would want to accomplish using the longboard are also factors that need to be taken into consideration.

While you can, of course, opt for a longboard that is as cheap as $50, you will probably regret it not long afterwards since quality may become an issue. More than that, buying a cheap longboard skateboard might also discourage you from pursuing active sports since cheap longboards are not known for offering very good riding experiences.

In general, good-quality longboards cost anywhere between $150 to $450 for a complete. But if you are a beginner to the longboarding sport, it is probably best that you purchase a complete longboard that is between the range of $60 to $250.

As previously stated, the following factors may prove to be helpful in making your first longboard choice:

1. The cost of the longboard by brand

Below is a quick rundown of the usual, promo-free cost of regular-sized longboards based on the brand name:

  • Quest Boards longboards – $60-$220
  • Landyachtz longboards – $170-$250
  • Sector 9 longboards – $140 – $225
  • Globe longboards – $150 – $230
  • Loaded longboards – $290 – $360
  • Arbor longboards – $150 – $210
  • Omen longboards – $160 – $250
  • Rayne longboards – $200 – $250

2. The size of the longboard

Longboards come in different shapes and sizes, from mini-cruisers that measure 32” or less to dancing longboards that measure more than 32” and are at the other end of the spectrum. In general, mini-cruisers are less inexpensive compared to dancing longboards since a lot more material goes more into the development of the latter.

3. The deck construction

The material used for the construction of the skateboard deck core also has an impact on the cost of a longboard. For instance, longboards that were constructed with bamboo are generally more expensive than boards made from all-wood. This may be because it is not just the materials that are being considered but also the technology and manufacturing process that was used.

4. Your choice of wheels

Longboards that are of decent quality and cost between $150-$250 normally come ready to ride already with good-quality wheels, such as Venom, Cloud Ride, and Seismic. However, if you wish to swap the wheels with another brand, it will typically add to the longboard’s cost.

5. Your choice of trucks

When choosing a complete longboard skateboard, one key component that affects its cost is the trucks. Most decent longboards come ready to ride with reputable truck brands such as Silver Trucks, Thunder Trucks, and Independent Trucks. However, if you wish to upgrade your trucks to higher-end brand-name ones, it will increase the cost of your longboard complete even more, probably between the range of $35-$55.

6. Your choice of bearings

Bearings are another critical aspect that you have to consider when it comes to the cost of a longboard. The standard bearings that oftentimes ship with your complete longboard skateboard may cost only $10. However, if you wish to invest in smooth, high-performance bearings, you will probably be made to shoulder an additional $60-$160.

Final Thoughts

A longboard is actually a form of investment for every rider, regardless of whether you are a beginner or a more advanced skater. Because of this, it is undoubtedly important to find out how much a longboard costs.

If you are new to the world of longboarding, you do not typically need to invest more than $250 for your very first longboard unless you are truly passionate about it and want something that is durable and high-performance for your evolution.

Keep in mind, however, that you can always have fun even with a reasonably inexpensive longboard so long as it suits your preferences and needs.